Listen to what Canadian businesses say about China
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in HK’s response to Harper’s China visit (released to CIV on Dec 6):
Andrew Work of Canadian Chamber of Commerce in HK
Canadians doing business in China hold similar values to Canadians in Canada. Where there may be a difference is in our experience on the ground.
Many, including Canadians originally from China, have witnessed an explosion of freedoms in China unimaginable just a couple of decades ago. China in the late 80’s was every bit as restrictive as modern day North Korea in controlling their citizens’ lives. Modern China is a very different place. There is obviously some way to go as China evolves, but its advances are remarkable.
This includes economic freedoms and social freedoms that have transformed the country and peoples’ lives.
Canadian firms are impacted by bi-lateral relations both at official levels, and also at a cultural level that many Canadians with limited experience in Asia don’t understand. Canadians easily and readily dissociate their national identity from a government of the day. They believe the government should reflect their values, not be their values. The Chinese tend to see their government, for better or for worse, as an extension of their national identity. So improved bi-lateral relations between governments affect the warmth of relationships from the Chinese side.
That being said, some Canadian companies have been in China so long and have such deep and strong relationships with partner firms and people that they transcend bilateral national relationships. Manulife, with over 100 years in China, is one such firm.
Also, the Chinese have a strong sense of balance – in messaging and in relationships. While there were comments about the relationship issues, the Chinese delivered some very substantial relationship-enhancing measures, notably (Approved Destination Status) ADS and lifting the ban on pork imports.
One thing that will be sure to advance an understanding of Canadian values and practices is having more Chinese visitors to Canada, with ADS status or via other means. Canada is like almost no other place except Taiwan (only now becoming accessible to small groups of people) where Chinese visitors will have access to free Chinese media – TV, radio and newspapers – that all communicate the Canadian experience and values through a Chinese context. Visitors to Japan, France, Italy or other places come and see, but don’t get the media. Canada is special and it is Chinese Canadians that make it so.
Canadian businesspeople in China have been here for decades – whether they were born in Canada or Chinese Canadians. Our relationships and development are measured over very long periods of time. A strong show of respect and support from Ottawa is always helpful and welcome. This latest visit helped both on hard issues (like ADS and pork) and also for building bridges and creating a generally favourably working environment. We ‘d like to see more visits like it!
PM Harper’s speech at Shanghai-Canada Council dinner on Dec 4 (released by PMO):
Thank you very much, Stock, for those kind words of introduction, and thank you also for the great work you’ve been doing as our International Trade Minister, which has paid some real dividends, particularly on this trip. I’d like to greet Members of the Parliament of Canada who are here today, the Honourable Michael Chong, Alice Wong, Andrew Saxton, John Weston, Bob Dechert and Daryl Kramp, my former colleague the Honourable John Reynolds, Ambassadors Lan and Mulroney, Consul General Patel, mesdames et messieurs, da jia hao. (APPLAUSE)
Mark, I’m not going to try and compete with you. (LAUGHTER) First of all, thanks to Mark for our masters of ceremonies for starting us off this evening. Mark, as you know, is Canada’s Commissioner General for Expo 2010 here in Shanghai, and I look forward to touring the Canadian pavilion with you tomorrow, (inaudible).
And thanks specially to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and the Canada-China Business Council for co-hosting this evening’s event. It is indeed an honour to have been invited to speak before the group assembled this evening, and it is also indeed timely. As Mark mentioned, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the launch of Canada’s trade commissioner service in this city. As evidence of the success of this venture, I would note that Shanghai is now the base of operations for some 150 Canadian companies, many of which are represented here tonight. And Shanghai boasts plenty of other superlatives. It is the largest city in China, the country’s economic engine, one of the fastest growing places on Earth, and home to the world’s busiest cargo port, and I have no doubt that next year, as Shanghai hosts the expo, tens of millions of visitors will be treated to the best that your world class city has to offer. (APPLAUSE)
Of course, Shanghai is but one stop on this, my first visit to China as Prime Minister, and as Stock has said, a tremendous experience it’s been, and it is yet another step in the hundreds of meetings between officials, some 20 ministerial level visits to this country and numerous meetings I’ve held with president Hu Jintao at various international fora since our government took office in 2006.
My visit therefore reflects Canada’s commitment to enhancing and expanding our relations with China, for ours is a good and frank relationship based on mutual respect and the need for cooperation in today’s challenging world. Ladies and gentlemen, long ago, as you know, pointing to a map…pointing to China on a map, Napoleon Bonaparte is famously said to have mused, “There lies a sleeping giant. When she awakes, she will shake the world.” How prophetic those words have proven to be.
In the three decades, the last three decades since making the first tentative moves towards liberalization, China has been witness to the greatest surge in general prosperity in the history of mankind. More than 400 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Over 100 cities have grown to a population of more than a million. The economy once directed entirely by the state has become firmly market-oriented, and private enterprises flourished. In fact, in the last 30 years, over 500,000 foreign-funded businesses have registered in China. I could go on, but the bottom line is this: there can be no mistaking the evidence. Today, ladies and gentlemen, China is truly awake, awake and set to help shape the future of the entire world. (APPLAUSE)
Canada has observed China’s remarkable rise over the course of a long-standing relationship. In the mid 19th century, Chinese labourers were integral to the most important nation-building exercise in Canadian history, the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. And over the last hundred years, some one million Chinese have immigrated to Canada. Today Chinese Canadians enrich all aspects of our society, our democracy and our economy. For example, in Toronto Chinese Canadians along with a large body of students and researchers from China have helped make our largest city a centre whose impact is felt throughout the world. And Vancouver has now become not just Canada’s, but North America’s gateway for Asia-Pacific trade, in significant part because of the enterprise of so many Chinese Canadians. Indeed, through a solid work ethic, a dedication to family and community, and a commitment to educational achievement, Chinese Canadians are helping to secure Canada’s place in the 21st century. In turn, Canada has contributed to China’s story. Canadian missionaries built hospitals and schools in China during the late 1800s, and a Canadian doctor, Norman Bethune, played a significant role in the history of this country. Canadian companies like ManuLife and SunLife pioneered economic networks throughout China more than a hundred years ago.
And despite the significant tensions of the cold war, Canada first negotiated contracts for the sale of wheat to China as far back as the government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. More recently, the strong ties between our countries allowed Canada to offer, following the earthquake last year, both significant public and private aid to the people of Sichuan province. Ladies… (APPLAUSE)
Ladies and gentlemen, even in these few examples, we see there is much shared history between Canada and China, history that has helped to shape both of our countries. So it is not surprising that as China has opened up, our economic ties have become extensive and expanding.
Since 2005 alone, two-way merchandise trade between our countries has grown steadily each year by an average of more than 14 percent. During this period, Canadian exports to China have grown by more than $3 billion. Our total two-way trade is now valued at over $53 billion. As was mentioned, China is already Canada’s second largest merchandise trading partner and our third largest export market. To help continue growing this relationship, our government has recently dedicated over a billion dollars into trade infrastructure on our Pacific Coast. What we call the Asia-Pacific Gateway is an integrated system of ports, airports, road and rail connections that link Asia deep into the heart of the North American marketplace. In fact, the West Coast ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert are two and three days closer than their American competitors to key Asian ports like Shanghai.
Canada is also increasingly being seen by Chinese business leaders, including many here tonight, as a natural destination for investment. We are one of the best positioned among the developed economies for a strong recovery. We have falling tax rates, a low debt-to-GDP ratio, one of the most welcoming environments for foreign investment in the entire world, and of course the resources necessary to meet China’s ever-growing needs. One area where Canada and China share mutually beneficial objectives is of course in the field of energy.
Because there can be no mistake, to continue fuelling its growth into the future, China will need stable sources of power, and Canada is an emerging energy superpower, a major supplier of every type of energy. Seventh in the world in crude oil production, with the second largest proven reserves, third in natural gas production, and the largest producer of uranium. Canada also has the resources and the know-how necessary to adapt technology to a cleaner, greener, less carbon intensive energy future. Having recently overtaken the United States as the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, China has a vital interest in getting these technologies up and running. Indeed, this is a major area where Canada and China are already working together through the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.
Today I’m pleased to announce Canada’s second round of funding under this partnership. With the second phase of projects, Canada will have invested in 28 clean technology projects worldwide, including 14 new projects in or of benefit to China. (APPLAUSE) And yesterday in the Great Hall of the People, Premier Wen and I witnessed the signing of an agreement to enhance cooperation between our two countries in combating climate change. Under the agreement, Canada and China will work together in areas such as energy conservation, energy conservation and efficiency and renewable energy, carbon capture and storage and methane recovery and utilization. Ladies and gentlemen, through collaborations like these, Canada and China can demonstrate how to balance energy development and economic growth with environmental protection, and we can serve as an example of cooperation for the rest of the world. (APPLAUSE)
I should mention some other achievements on this trip. We are very pleased that the government of China has granted Canada approved destination status. (APPLAUSE) This is a measure that Canadian governments have been seeking for over a decade, a measure that could generate up to a 50 percent boost in tourism, and it is especially timely. As Canada prepares to welcome the world to Vancouver and Whistler for the Winter Olympic Games, this new designation will encourage more Chinese tourists to discover all that Canada has to offer.
And finally, Premier Wen and I were pleased yesterday also to witness the signing of an agreement to promote cultural cooperation between China and Canada, including the exchange of works of art, performing artists and writers. This agreement will create economic opportunity for the Canadian cultural sector and showcase Canadian culture here in China. It is another instance of our two countries leading by example and working together for mutual benefit.
Of course, ladies and gentlemen, the biggest challenge facing both our countries, indeed facing all the world’s major economies continues to be the global economic downturn. Our economies have held up well compared to the rest of the world. This was not, of course, by accident. Both Canada and China entered this period with strong government balance sheets, stable financial sectors and large and ongoing investments in critical infrastructure. And both Canada and China have been strong contributors to the collective efforts of the G20 to foster a genuine global recovery. We participated early in coordinated international interest rate reductions. Both our countries have engaged in sizeable fiscal stimulus measures as called for by the IMF and other global bodies, and I look forward to welcoming President Hu next year to Canada when we host the next meeting of the G20. (APPLAUSE)
Now more than ever as tentative signs of the recovery are emerging, Canada and China will need to keep our voices strong and united at the G20 table. The messages we must impart during this critical period will be threefold: first, we must urge fellow members to follow through on committed stimulus. Second, we must develop exit strategies to avoid inflation and asset bubbles. And third, and perhaps most importantly, we must insist that all leaders stand firm against protectionist pressures. (APPLAUSE)
We have seen movement towards protectionism, albeit modest, since this global recession began. But modest or otherwise, protectionism is the single greatest threat to long-term recovery for Canada, for China and for the entire world economy.
That is why fighting protectionism and expanding trade have been top priorities of our government’s foreign policy. That’s why since taking office we have aggressively pursued trade negotiations around the globe, concluding agreements with eight countries and launching discussions with numerous others. The reason for this is simple: notwithstanding our current economic difficulties, we cannot forget that the prosperity generated here in China and around the world over the past generation has been unprecedented. Removing protectionist barriers and easing trade restrictions have been key to ushering this extraordinary era. Pursuing freer trade is the most effective antidote we have to the current crisis. We welcome, on Canada’s part, we welcome China’s decision to lift restrictions on Canadian pork, but… go ahead. (APPLAUSE) But I do have to say that ill-considered protectionist measures like restrictions on canola imports can only lead to increased pressures for retaliation and protectionism. Now more than ever, our two countries must work together to keep trade flowing.
That’s why I’m pleased to announce that in cooperation with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the government of Canada is today launching four new trade offices in China. (APPLAUSE) These offices are in addition to the two that Trade Minister Stockwell Day announced in April. Together, they will enhance our ability to support even more commercial links in exports, investment and innovation between our two countries. This announcement is another concrete step our government is taking towards enhancing and expanding our economic ties with China.
As economic power and human prosperity spreads from West to East, Canada’s trade orientation is also shifting. In the 19th and 20th centuries, our economy was built largely on trans-Atlantic trade, but ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that in the 21st century, trans-Pacific trade will increasingly fuel our economic growth. But just as trade is a two-way street, so too is dialogue.
Our government believes and has always believed that a mutually beneficial economic relationship is not incompatible with a good and frank dialogue on fundamental values like freedom, human rights and the rule of law. In fact, our experience is that they go hand in hand, and increasingly so as economies progress. Canada, while far from perfect, is one of the most peaceful, pluralistic and prosperous democracies the world has ever known. To Canadians, these attributes are inseparable, and Canadians of Chinese origin participate in them as fully as any of our citizens. And so in relations between China and Canada, we will continue to raise issues of freedom and human rights, be a vocal advocate and an effective partner for human rights reform, just as we pursue the mutually beneficial economic relationship desired by both of our countries. (***CIV NOTE: NO APPLAUSE HERE FROM THE AUDIENCE***)
Ladies and gentlemen, as the centre of gravity of the world economy swings towards the Pacific, Pacific nations like Canada and China have much to gain by increased cooperation. Now is the time to enhance and expand our relationship, to build upon our mutual successes, and to use the authority those successes have afforded us to set an example for others in the world. Now, I’m going to conclude tonight with an invitation to all of our Chinese friends. We’re anxious to return your Olympic hospitality. Come and visit Canada next year as we host the 21st Winter Olympic Games. Come and enjoy Vancouver, famously rated the world’s most liveable city, and come to Canada and see for yourself the possibilities and the potential. I want to thank you once again for your attendance tonight, for the invitation to speak to you this evening, and for your warm hospitality here in Shanghai. Merci beaucoup. Xie xie. (APPLAUSE)
Here are some further comments from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in HK:
With over 220,000 Canadians in Hong Kong, we are bigger than Regina. Canadians abroad feel they make valuable contributions – and we do. We raise funds for Canadian universities, build cultural bridges for our public schools, volunteer to run local hockey leagues, sell Canadian products and services abroad and generate Canada bound investment. When we see reports in the media from columnists and others who would disparage us and suggest we were somehow less dedicated Canadians than those living in Canada, it is hurtful and upsets those who work so hard for Canada. While some are ignorant, populist columnists playing to limited audiences, changes in legislation that penalize our children have garnered attention and cause widespread concern. Canada and our leaders should celebrate Canadians abroad and encourage them in their work to support Canada’s future in a internationalized future.
